Satellite kite



April 1960 E. WILSON 2,934,295

- SATELLITE KITE Filed March 19, 1958 Y av Eorl L. Wilson SATELLITE KITE Earl L. Wilson, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application March 19, 1958, Serial No. 722,462

3 Qlaims. (Cl. 244-153) This invention relates to kites and more particularly to a simulated satellite kite.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flying kite in the form of a simulated satellite that has extremely favorable flying characteristics and is of attractive appearance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a satellite kite of the above type which is constructed of a plurality of readily assembled frame members having predetermined sheet coverings for providing stable and high altitude flight.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a satellite kite, bearing the above objects in mind, which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and eflicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a frame of a satellite kite forming a part of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the frame shown in Figure 1, covered and ready for flight;

Figure 3 is a front view of the kite shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of a coupling forming a part of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the coupling member shown in Figure 4.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, and more particularly to Figures 1, 4 and 5 thereof, a kite frame made in accordance with the present invention is shown to be constructed from three circular hoops, each of which is formed from the length of flexible rod that is formed into a circle and secured together at its ends. The ends of the first hoop 12 and the ends of the second hoop 14 are secured within a juncture block 15 having an axial bore 16 that receives one end of a rigid rod 18. The third hoop 20 is formed from a rod having its ends secured together by means of a separate connector 21. It will be noted that all of the hoops are of substantially the same size and are secured together so that each hoop lies in a plane perpendicular to the plane of each of the other hoops, thus providing a truly spherical shape.

A circular sheet of covering material 23 is formed with circumferentially spaced apart tunnels 24 at its periphery which slidably receive the rod forming the first loop 12, cutouts 25 being provided to accommodate the passage of the rods forming the second and third hoops therethrough. Triangular sections 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d of similar flexible sheet covering material are secured by means of similar tunnels 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d, respectively, to adjacent segmental circular portions of the sec- 0nd and third hoops 14, 20 two such triangular sheet portions being secured to hoop portions at each side of 2,934,295 Patented Apr. 26, 1960 the circular sheet of covering material 23 and its hoop, the triangular portions 27a, 27b on one side of the circular sheet and being diametrically opposite from each other, and the triangular portions 27c, 27d being diametrically opposite from each other on the opposite side of the circular sheet. Such spacing permits air to pass through the kite in order to maintain flight. The base of each triangular section is cemented to the facing surface of the circular sheet 23 along securernent lines 29, whereby all of the parts are integrally secured together. During assembly, the rod forming the first hoop 12 is threaded through the tunnel of the circular sheet 23 and the ends thereof seated in the corresponding holes in the juncture block 15. The rod forming the second loop 14 is then threaded through the corresponding tunnels in the triangular sheet portions and the ends seated in the other holes in the juncture block 15. Finally, the rod forming the third hoop 20 is threaded through the remaining tunnels in the other triangular sheets and the ends thereof secured together by means of the connector 21. A diametrically extending rod 31 is then inserted diametrically across the third hoop 20 and secured in place, such as by rubber bands.

A bridle string 33 is secured to the outermost end of the rigid rod 18 and one end of the rod 31. A tie line 3 is then fastened upon the mid-section of the bridle string 33, following which the kite is ready for flight. While the flight characteristics of this kite are similar to those of a conventional box kite, the particular disposition of the sheet surfaces and the shape of the frame provide exceptional stability and ease of handling. As a result, this kite will proceed to high altitudes with a minimum amount of wind and will remain under the control of the operator at all times.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A simulated statellite kite comprising a spherical frame formed of three circular hoops of substantially the same size secured together, each of said hoops lying in a plane perpendicular to the plane of each of the other of said hoops, a rod extending diametrically through the opposite sides of the frame, an arm extending radially outwardly from said frame and having a longitudinal axis normal to the longitudinal axis of said rod, a circular flexible sheet covering extending upon and across one of said hoops, and diametrically opposite triangular sheets extending between the other hoops at each side of the circular sheet and the one hoop.

2. A simulated satellite kite as defined in claim 1, and a juncture block securing together two of said hoops and said arm extending from the juncture box.

3. A simulated satellite kite as defined in claim 2, and a bridle string extending between the outer end of said arm and one outer end of side rod, and a tie line secured to the bridle string.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Wolford Nov. 14, 1950 Rodriguez Feb. 4, 1958 

